SQL Data Programmer - Boston VA Research Institute, Inc. (BVARI) : Job Details

Seeking –Research SQL Data Programmer

Boston VA Research Institute, Inc. (BVARI)

We are a Boston-based epidemiology and biomedical research organization. We are actively engaged in several clinical trials, pharmacoepidemiology, chronic disease epidemiology, genetic epidemiology, biostatistical and genomics research. Our research team oversees study data related activities and quality improvement activities to improve the way translational research is conducted and clinical care is delivered. The multi-disciplinary center consists of a highly talented group of biomedical researchers, clinicians, epidemiologists, biostatisticians, data analysts/programmers, project coordinators, and an informatics team with academic affiliations to Harvard Medical School and Boston University. We are looking for candidates with a service-oriented mentality, high sense of ownership of the assigned tasks, and ability to solve problems presented by data.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Provides programming support for a variety of analyses. Data Programmer will work on VA data behind VA firewalls. Along with the neuroimaging leads and Neurocognitive data leads, the programmer will identify subjects in the VA EMR who have available neurocognitive and neuroimaging data. They will assist with the extraction of the neurocognitive data from the report forms. They will assist in the gathering of research data for subjects with neurocognitive and imaging data. The Data Programmer will perform data retrieval, cleaning, aggregation, and synthesis as appropriate. The Data Programmer also operationalizes processes using macros and scripts, identifies efficiencies, and standardizes code. The Data Programmer will also provide programming support for Natural Language Processing (NLP) initiatives. Should be proficient in SQL, SAS, and R.

Project background: The risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD) is likely caused by a combination of environmental and genetic factors. They note that associations observed in non-White populations can be critical to localizing associations to specific genes and positions of the genome. Moreover, the lack of diversity in genetic studies may contribute to health disparities and growing gaps in health care. Indeed, polygenic risk scores are less effective when the target population and the GWAS population used to calibrate the score are from different ancestry groups.

Main goals include: a) Established AD Sequencing Project Phenotype Harmonization Consortium (ADSP-PHC) phenotype and endophenotype definitions and B) Develop data resource by the broader ADRD research community

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Query electronic health record data using SQL to construct and clean large datasets
• Provide statistical expertise towards research projects and conduct statistical analysis using SAS
• Work closely with study team consists of statistical programmers, biostatisticians, clinicians, epidemiologists and other investigators to identify patient cohorts, create analytic datasets, conduct analyses, and deliver analysis results
• Perform validation of programs and analytical datasets to ensure fulfillment of specifications and validity/integrity of results
• Complete requests in a timely manner, meeting appropriate timelines, while ensuring quality standards met
• Establish and maintain communication with study team to keep them updated on status of requests

SKILLS/EXPERIENCE:

• Master's degree, preferably in public health domain, statistics, biostatistics, or epidemiology, with 2+ years of statistical or database programming experience
• Bachelor's degree, preferably in biostatistics, statistics or computer science, with at 3+ years of statistical or database programming experience
• Experience working with big data and capable of working independently in preparing datasets, writing analytic plans, perform analysis and writing reports to facilitate research decisions making.
• Proficient programming skills using SQL and SAS
• Working knowledge of statistical analysis or data analysis
• Experience working with relational databases and/or electronic health record data for research
• Observational study or clinical trials research and analysis experience
• Experience with R, MS, MySQL, Microsoft office tools
• Basic knowledge of study design, research methodology
• Natural Language Processing experience is a plus
• Understanding of the healthcare domain and clinical, epidemiologic, and genomic data is a plus
• Excellent attention to detail, logic, and organizational skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to adapt quickly to the changing demands of the organization

The employee must be a resident of Massachusetts upon start date.

Please note we are unable to provide work authorization and/or visa sponsorship.

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described in this job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands; and reach with hands and arms.

This position requires the ability to occasionally lift office products and supplies, up to 20 pounds.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position, and hours of work and days are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Travel

No travel is expected for this position.

Work Authorization/Security Clearance

An employee in this position must complete all appropriate background checks at the time of hire and periodic reappointment.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Boston VA Research Institute provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, transfer, leaves of absences, compensation and training.